Royal Bar & Grill

7.8 Recommended

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

We used to be regulars of the Royal more years then can remember and it used to be amazing. Then in the last coupl of years the food turned sour and so did the atmosphere. The only saving grace was Tilly and her service. Decided to give it one more try the other day for lunch as they advertised a new chef(thank god!) and unusual but clever marketing of $12 meals. The food was ok, certainly for the price, but what will bring us back over and over again is their fantastic manager -Tilly Hughes! She is warm, welcoming and really good at her job. The Royal are lucky to have her, and if they have any hope of making it would be due to her leadership.

Aug 07, 2011 

6.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

A last minute choice for a lunch out today. We both had the pie special, a beer and a dessert. The servings were a tad small but Ok. Nothing special.

Our order took ages but we were in no hurry on a leisurely Saturday arvo. A large party arrived soon after us and the place became very noisy. The lady, who appeared to be the boss, was very professional and attended to us well.
Somewhat disappointing but Ok if you select carefully.

Jul 16, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

I'm a regular fan of the Royal, been going there for many years. Consistently good, quick and the service is great. It's an old buzzy pub and I like that atmoshpere. Still haven't found a better Caesar Salad or bearnaise sauce!

Dec 15, 2010 

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  5     

I used to frequent this place, however, the quality of food has declined. I used to love coming here for my steaks however the last 3 times, my steak has been tasteless. Even the desserts are boring and tasteless.

Dec 01, 2010 

7 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Had to add a review after reading some others! Had a lovely lunch for 4 recently. The staff went all out to make it a special occasion (it was one of our party's birthday) attentive and experienced, providing all those little details that others miss. Food is admittedly unexciting but good value and of an acceptable standard for pub fare. Wine list seems limited but extremely cheap with lots of choice by the glass. All in all a very pleasant comfortable experience made memorable by the service

Aug 20, 2010 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  3     

We stopped going to the Royal a year or so ago, as the standard dropped and it just wasn't what it used to be. We decided to give it another go tonight and, unfortunately, things have not improved. It is a real shame. The Royal used to be "the place" for great pub grub. I had fillet steak with bearnaise sauce and wedges. (bernaise on the side, thank god because it was horrible).

The steak came out warm and the wedges were piping hot. The steak was cooked well but tasteless (I had to add tomato sauce for flavor which I never do) and as for the wedges, Oh dear, if they were not re-fried they were cooked in very old oil and they were unedible. Our rocket and parmesan salad tasted like it had not been washed and there was no dressing. My partner had the steak and guinness pie which he said was “just” ok. The pie was piping hot and the mash potato was cold?! Don't they know how to plate up hot food?

As for the service, well I don’t want to be rude so, perhaps, I should just say that it was below average. I am shocked that what once used to be a Paddo institution has dropped their standards so much. They don’t really seem to care. The place was near empty, which just goes to show.

Jun 01, 2010 

4.8 Average

Food  3      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  3     

I've lived in Paddington for 15 years and used to go to the Royal a lot. It was always a great dining experience especially the steak bernaise and fat chips. We stopped going after some ordinary experiences a few years back. Went on Friday night. The steak was gristly and the fat cut chips were half raw. A truly terrible experience. The staff were friendly and efficient but even they couldn't save the steak and chips.

The problem is sending a meal back has negative consequences for the other diners at the table and makes everybody uncomfortable. Will give the Royal a wide berth for another few years.

Sep 06, 2009 

3.5 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  2     

Terrible. My medium-rare fillet was a well-done lump of leather; it's bearnaise sauce had a curious coconut flavour. Dessert was a 'rhubarb tart with vanilla mascarpone' - a pastry cup filled with sloppy rhubarb compote with no texture at all and so sour I couldn't eat more than a mouthful. My partner's "fig pudding" looked and tasted like sticky date. The three date pips confirmed our suspicions.

The greens were nice though. Firm and not overcooked, but a sad consolation for a very poor meal. It does however, have a good, well-priced wine list, with plenty of vinos by the glass.

Jul 19, 2008 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Had a really lovely meal here last night, food was great, good menu, the beef and guiness pie looked great, waygu sausages with mash were very nice, esp on a cold winters night. Wine list was good and reasonably priced. Service was very good, very attentive waitress. Would go back again!

Jun 06, 2008 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

A lovely space and a fantastic place to eat. Very reasonably priced with main around $25-$29. The quality of the food was fantastic and very satisfying. We had the fillet and also the beef and Guinness pie.

Service was friendly, but could have been a little more attentive. It's always nice if someone comes to check on the meal just after it arrives or tops your water up throughout the meal. The maitre d' could have been a little friendlier though. But otherwise very good and worth checking out.

May 20, 2008